1 /5 James Russell: I was hoping to attend PureGym Seven sisters again soon however the managerial appointment has ensured this wont be happening.
I was a member of PureGym Muswell Hill from 2016 to 2025 and worked there as an employee between 2021 and 2023. When I left employment, I shared feedback with HR about some patterns of behaviour I personally found concerning with the Manager (at the time)
Around 18 months later, after nine years of involvement with the club, I arrived to train as usual and found that my PIN no longer worked. There had been no prior warning, conversation, or email about this decision. This was highly unusual, as almost any issue (no matter how serious) would usually involve communication, a temporary PIN suspension, and an opportunity for resolution. Issues as serious as violence, inappropriate behaviour and discrimination were all usually met with due process during my time at the club so this was confusing to say the least.
After months of trying to get clarity, I was informed that the reason was “unlicensed personal training.” I have never provided paid personal training at PureGym since leaving their employment, and this explanation came as a complete surprise.
Following a subject access request, I was initially told that no information existed regarding why I had been banned, and that there was no data held about the case. Puregyms legal obligation was to provide all data held on me.
Only after my threat of legal action did I receive a 55-page file (omitted from my SAR), which included photographs of me taken in the gym on personal mobile phones and internal email correspondence discussing my membership status. There appeared to have been consistent efforts to build a case against me, yet even now, not one evidenced example of a policy breach has been shown.
It seems that I was ultimately banned for life with no warning or conversation after the manager at the time used footage of myself and a friend of 15 years warming up together, describing this as a “clear case of paid personal training,” despite the fact that we had intermittently worked out together for eight years at the club and it was widely known he was a friend.
In my view, some staff and, unfortunately, even senior managers at that time struggled to separate personal feelings and corporate stonewalling from professional standards. This should be a consideration for prospective members who value transparency and safeguarding. My case may seem trivial to some but the practices, if replicated in other situations, could lead to distressing outcomes.
I HAVE ATTACHED:
-ONE OF THE MANY SECRETLY TAKEN MOBILE PHOTOS (ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED BY MANAGEMENT AND REGIONAL MANAGEMENT). THIS IS NOT ONLY CREEPY AND DISPROPORTIONATE, IT BREACHES PUREGYM POLICY.
- A PHOTO OF THE INCIDENT OF "PERSONAL TRAINING" I WAS BANNED FOR THAT CLEARLY SHOWS BOTH OF US TOOK PART IN EVERY MOVEMENT. (TO ANYONE WHO UNDERSTANDS PTING AND THE FITNESS INDUSTRY, THIS IS CLEARLY NOT COACHING)
-AN IMAGE OF ME WITH THE SAME INDIVIDUAL 12 YEARS AGO AS TO PROVE THE POINT THAT NOT ONLY WERE WE BOTH TRAINING (NOT PTING) THIS IS ALSO A CHILDHOOD FRIEND NOT A CLIENT
While this experience was disappointing and distressing, I understand that both club and regional management have since changed. I genuinely hope that under new leadership, PureGym Muswell Hill can return to being the friendly and professional club it once was.
However as PureGym have moved the manager involved in the situation sideways to PureGym Seven Sisters, I hope members are aware that this behaviour is possible.
**EDIT: Its worth noting that my TrustPilot review was flagged with an attempt to have it taken down. (PICTURES ATTACHED)**
**EDIT 2**
Several months ago, Puregym reinstated my membership and offered me 6 months free membership out of "goodwill" assuming I accept this as the end of the matter. I declined.
SINCE I HAVE LEFT THIS REVIEW, PUREGYM HAVE CONTACTED ME AGAIN PRIVATLY TO REINSTATE MY BAN. It seems rather than learning lessons, they are doubling down. (PICTURE ATTACHED)
